Identification device for bottle

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, an identification device for a baby or infant bottle comprises an annular collar sized to be placed around the neck portion of the bottle and an elongated, flexible strap secured to and extending from the collar. The strap is of sufficient length to extend over the nipple of the cap and allow the free end portion of the strap to be connected to the collar. The child&#39;s name can be written directly on the strap, or alternatively, the child&#39;s name can be written on a label that can be applied to the strap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/717,350, filed Sep. 14, 2005, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a removable identification device fora bottle, such as an infant's bottle.

BACKGROUND

With the prevalent use of daycare centers, a need has been created for ameans of quickly and easily associating a bottle with a particularinfant to prevent the bottle from being given to the wrong infant.

In the past, it has been common practice to write the infant's name on apiece of tape, and affixing the tape to the body of the bottle. Suchpractice suffers from a number of disadvantages. Infants often are ableto remove the tape from the bottle. Further, the tape must be removed toproperly clean the bottle, and often leaves an undesirable stickyresidue. Another common practice is to write the infant's name on thebottle using a “permanent” marker. Unfortunately, even when using apermanent marker, the child's name can rub off when the bottle iscleaned or placed in a warming bath. Moreover, such markings often arewritten on the side of the bottle in an inconspicuous manner, andtherefore can be easily overlooked by the day care provider.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an identification devicefor an infant's bottle that can be used, for example, in a day care toassist day care providers in identifying an infant's bottle. Accordingto one representative embodiment, the identification device comprises anannular collar sized to be placed around the neck portion of the bottleand an elongated, flexible strap secured to and extending from thecollar. The strap is of sufficient length to extend over the nipple ofthe bottle and allow the free end portion of the strap to be connectedto the collar. If the bottle has a removable cap for covering thenipple, the strap can be sized to extend over the cap when placed on thebottle. The child's name can be written directly on the strap, oralternatively, the child's name can be written on a label that can beapplied to the strap.

According to another representative embodiment, a method of using anidentification device for an infant's bottle is provided. The methodcomprises placing liquid in the bottle, placing a collar of theidentification device around the neck of the bottle, installing a cap onthe neck so as to retain the collar thereon, and extending a strapconnected to the collar over the cap and connecting a free end of thestrap to the collar. The strap can have identification indicia (e.g., achild's name) identifying the bottle as belonging to a child.

According to still another representative embodiment, an infant bottleassembly comprises a bottle having a neck portion, a removable cap, anipple supported by the cap, and an identification device. Theidentification device comprises a collar adapted to be placed around theneck portion and a flexible strap having first and second end portions.The strap is of sufficient length to extend over the nipple and to allowthe first and second portions to be connected to the collar at generallydiametrically opposite locations on the collar. The strap can haveidentification indicia (e.g., a child's name) identifying the bottle asbelonging to a child.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description, whichproceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an identification device installed on ababy bottle, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the identification device shown removedfrom the bottle.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the identification device similar toFIG. 1 but shown without the bottle for clarity.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the identification device, according toanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one ormore than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “includes” means “comprises.” For example, adevice that includes or comprises A and B contains A and B but mayoptionally contain C or other components other than A and B. A devicethat includes or comprises A or B may contain A or B or A and B, andoptionally one or more other components such as C.

Referring to the figures, there is shown a removable, baby bottleidentification device, indicated generally at 10. The identificationdevice 10 can be adapted to be installed on and removed from aconventional baby bottle 12. The construction of the bottle 12 can beconventional and can include a removable cap, or top, 32 supporting anipple portion 34. The cap 32 can be mountable to the neck portion 30 ofthe bottle, for example, by tightening the cap 32 onto mating threads(not shown) on the outside of the neck portion 30. The bottle can alsoinclude a removable cap 44 that covers the nipple 34.

The identification device 10 in the illustrated configuration comprisesa body 14 having a one-piece, or unitary, construction. The body 14 inparticular embodiments has an annular collar 16 and a flexible and/orelastomeric elongated strap 18 extending from the collar 16. As usedherein, the terms “one-piece” or “unitary” construction refer to aconstruction that does not include any welds, fasteners, or other meansfor securing separately formed pieces of material to each other.

The collar 16 can be sized and shaped to be placed around the neckportion 30 of the bottle 12. The device 10 can be installed on thebottle 12 by removing the cap 32 and placing the collar 16 on the neckportion 30. The cap 32 can then be reinstalled on the neck portion 30,retaining the collar 16 on the neck portion 30. The collar 16 desirablyhas a diameter sufficiently large to receive the neck of most standardsized bottles, but yet is smaller than the periphery of a standard sizedcap 32. In particular embodiments, the collar 16 has an inner diameterof about 1.5 inches. Of course, these specific dimensions (as well asother dimensions provided in the present specification) are given toillustrate the invention and not to limit it. The dimensions providedherein can be modified as needed in different applications orsituations. For example, the diameter of the collar can be increased ordecreased as necessary for different bottles.

The strap 18 has a first end portion 20 secured to the collar 16 and isof sufficient length to allow the strap 18 to be extended over thenipple portion 34 (and the cap 44 covering the nipple, if used) andallow a second, free end portion 22 of the strap to be secured orconnected to the collar 16 such as at a location generally opposite thefirst end portion 20, as depicted in FIG. 1. Although variable, thestrap 18 in particular embodiments is about 7 inches in length. Thefirst end portion 20 in the illustrated embodiment is integral with thecollar 16 (the strap and the collar form a unitary body 14), although inother embodiments the strap can be completely removable from the collar.

To connect the free end portion 22 to the collar 16, the free endportion 22 can be formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apartapertures 24, which are adapted to be received by a prong or projection26 (FIG. 2) extending from the collar 16 opposite the first end 20 ofthe strap. The prong 26 desirably includes an enlarged end portion 28that is larger than each of the apertures 24 in at least one dimension(the width and/or length of the apertures). The end portion 28 can be,for example, spherical or bulbous as shown, square, rectangular, orcombinations thereof. When the device 10 is installed on the bottle 12,the strap 18 can be extended over the nipple portion 34 (and if used,the cap 44) and secured to the collar by inserting end portion 28 of theprong 26 into one of the apertures 24. The elasticity of the strap 18and/or end portion 28 allow for slight deformation of the apertures 24and/or end portion 28 when inserting end portion 28 into an aperture 24.Once inserted, the end portion 28 retains the strap in the positionshown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The free end portion 22 can be easily removedfrom the prong 26 by applying a light tugging force on the end of thestrap.

Other techniques or attachment mechanisms can be implemented to connectand disconnect the free end portion 22 of the strap from the collar 16.For example, the free end portion 22 of the strap can be adapted toextend through a slot formed in the collar 16. Other fastening devices,such as a hook-and-loop type fastener (Velcro), snaps, or adhesives alsocan be used.

In alternative embodiments, the body can be formed from multiplecomponents that are separately formed and subsequently joined orconnected to each other. For example, the collar 16 and the strap 18 canbe separately formed (e.g., separately molded) and then joined to eachother, such as by welding the components to each other or by securingthe components to each other using an adhesive or a fastener. In otherembodiments, the strap 18 can be configured to be completely removablefrom the collar 16. For instance, the first end portion 20 can be formedwith a plurality of spaced apart apertures 24 that are sized to receivea prong or projection (such as prong 26) on the collar 16 opposite theprong 26. Alternatively, a fastener can be provided on the first endportion 20 of the strap to permit that end portion to be connected toand removed from the collar.

The device 10 can be made from any of various suitable materials,including, without limitation, rubber or any of various syntheticpolymers, such as urethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene,polyvinylchloride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or ethylene vinylacetate, to name a few. In certain embodiments, the material for makingthe device 10 is selected to be dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning.The device can be manufactured using any suitable technique for formingsuch materials, such as molding (e.g., injection molding), extrusion,casting, or combinations of these processes.

The device 10 provides a convenient way for identifying a bottle asbelonging to a particular child in a day care environment or similarsituation. In this manner, identification indicia, such as the child'sname, can be provided on a convenient location on the device. Forexample, in particular embodiments, the child's name can be writtendirectly on the strap 18, or alternatively, the child's name can bewritten on a label 40 (FIG. 2) that can be applied in a slightlyrecessed area 36 on the strap 18. Such a label can be any commerciallyavailable label (e.g., a gummed or adhesive label) that can betemporarily or permanently applied. The label 40 desirably conforms inshape to the recessed area 36 such that when the label is applied, theperipheral edge of the label resides in close proximity to the outerridge 38 of area 36. Ridge 38 tends to impede inadvertent removal of thelabel and removal by infants, although the label can be readily removedby adults. In alternative embodiments, the device 10 can be provided indifferent colors as a further discriminate and/or can have the child'sname permanently applied to the strap during the manufacturing process,such as by printing the name on the strap or molding the child's namedirectly in the strap, such as shown at 42 in FIG. 4.

The bottle. 12 can be placed in a warming bath while the device 10 isinstalled on the bottle in the manner shown in FIG. 1. In one approach,the strap 18 is kept in the “latched” position secured to the prong 26and is “unlatched” (removed from the prong 26) only after the day careprovider identifies the child to which the bottle belongs andimmediately prior to giving the bottle to the child. Implementation ofthis technique can provide an additional level of protection againstproviding a child the wrong bottle.

Additionally, the strap 18 also can function as a handle for picking upand/or carrying the bottle 12. For example, the strap 18 can be used toeasily remove the bottle 12 from a warming bath.

The identification device 10 also can be adapted for use on conventionalnon-spill (“tippy”) cups.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of thedisclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that theillustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention andshould not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, thescope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I thereforeclaim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit ofthese claims.

1. An identification device for an infant bottle having a neck portionand a removable cap supporting a nipple, comprising: an annular collarsized to be placed around the neck portion of the bottle; and anelongated, flexible strap having first and second end portions, thefirst end portion being secured to the collar, the second end portionbeing configured to be removably connected to the collar, the strapbeing of sufficient length to extend over the nipple and allow thesecond end portion to be connected to the collar at a location generallyopposite the location at which the first end portion is secured to thecollar, and the strap having identification indicia identifying thebottle as belonging to a child.
 2. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a projection extending from the collar, the second endportion being formed with at least one aperture sized to receive theprojection such that when the strap is extended over the nipple, thesecond end portion can be held in place by inserting the projectionthrough the aperture.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the projectionhas an enlarged end portion that is larger than the aperture.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the projection end portion is generallyspherical.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperturecomprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart apertures formed inthe second end portion of the strap.
 6. The device of claim 1, whereinthe strap is formed with a recessed area between the first and secondend portions adapted to receive a label having the identificationindicia.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottle has a removablecap that covers the nipple when placed on the bottle, and the strap isof sufficient length to extend over the cap covering the nipple andallow the second end portion to be connected to the collar at a locationgenerally opposite the location at which the first end portion issecured to the collar.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar andthe strap comprise a one-piece construction.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the collar and the strap and integrally molded.
 10. A method ofusing an identification device for an infant's bottle, theidentification device comprising an annular collar and an elongatedstrap extending from the collar, the method comprising: placing liquidin the bottle; placing the collar of the identification device aroundthe neck of the bottle; installing a cap on the neck so as to retain thecollar thereon; and extending the strap over the cap and connecting afree end of the strap to the collar, the strap having identificationindicia identifying the bottle as belonging to a child.
 11. The methodof claim 10, further comprising placing a label on the strap, the labelhaving the identification indicia comprising a child's name writtenthereon to identify the bottle as belonging to the child.
 12. The methodof claim 10, further comprising: identifying the child to which thebottle belongs; removing the free end of the strap from the collar; andfeeding the liquid in the bottle to the child.
 13. The method of claim10, further comprising: storing the bottle with the strap extending overthe cap and the free end of the strap connected to the collar; removingthe bottle from storage and identifying the child to which the bottlebelongs; removing the free end of the strap from the collar; and feedingthe liquid in the bottle to the child.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising placing the bottle in a warming bath to warm theliquid prior to feeding the child.
 15. An infant bottle assemblycomprising: a bottle having a neck portion; a removable cap; a nipplesupported by the cap; and an identification device comprising a collaradapted to be placed around the neck portion and a flexible strap havingfirst and second end portions, the strap being of sufficient length toextend over the nipple and the allow the first and second portions to beconnected to the collar at generally diametrically opposite locations onthe collar, and the strap having identification indicia identifying thebottle as belonging to a child.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, whereinthe collar and the strap comprise a unitary construction with the firstend portion of the strap being integral with the collar.
 17. Theassembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second end portions of thestrap are configured to connected to and removable from the collar. 18.The assembly of claim 15, wherein the identification indicia comprisesthe child's name molded in the strap.
 19. The assembly of claim 15,wherein the identification device further comprises means for connectingand disconnecting the second end portion from the collar.
 20. Theassembly of claim 19, wherein said means comprises a projectionextending from the collar, and at least one aperture formed in the strapsecond end portion and sized to receive the projection such that whenthe strap is extended over the nipple, the second end portion can beheld in place by inserting the projection through the aperture.